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El Duque knocks out Boston

El Duque knocks out Boston

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By Dick Kaegel
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- El Duque reigns.

That was obvious in the Chicago White Sox victorious clubhouse after Friday's American League Division Series clincher.

A knot of White Sox celebrated in a foam-speckled circle in the center of the room, chanting, "El Duque! El Duque! El Duque!" Presumably, that shaved head in the middle belonged to the man himself, Orlando Hernandez.

El Duque worked the room. El Duque held up a fistful of cigars. El Duque hugged everyone in grabbing range.

Hernandez, the honcho from Havana, danced his way into White Sox immortality at Fenway Park.

But before that ...

"I know this kid is going to show up with cold blood," manager Ozzie Guillen said.

There hardly could have been more pressure hissing from a playoff balloon. One pin dropped in the wrong direction and the Chicago White Sox chances for a sweep were flying in rubbery ribbons.

"You never get used to it, no matter how many games you pitch in. Whatever the situation, you never get used to it," Hernandez said.

Manny Ramirez's second home run had just brought the Boston Red Sox within one run in the sixth inning. Damaso Marte, in relief of Freddy Garcia, had given up a single to Trot Nixon and two walks.

Bases loaded. No outs.

Hernandez was summoned from the bullpen by Guillen, who was already in a high snit over plate umpire Mark Wegner's ball-strike calls.

"You have to concentrate pitch by pitch and try not to make the wrong one," Hernandez said. "The second you don't concentrate, that's when you get hurt."

He concentrated very well.

Jason Varitek, a switch-hitter, batted for fellow catcher Doug Mirabelli. Hernandez provided the perfect matchup -- Varitek was just 1-for-18 against El Duque in his career. Sure enough, up the chute, a foul out to A.J. Pierzynski.